Military museum

10 Jan 2013

A small group of members from the Probus Club of Norwood recently visited the Military Motor Vehicles Museum at Edinburgh, South Australia. The museum is situated in one of the remaining buildings of the Salisbury Explosives and Shell Filling Factory. 

The Display Manager of the Museum spoke about the history and the setting up of the Museum and its move from Port Adelaide to Edinburgh because of the sale of the Port Adelaide property by its owners.

He then showed a PowerPoint presentation of the Salisbury Explosives and Shell Filling Factory.

Building of the Factory commenced in November 1940, and in November 1941, it was substantially complete as an operational factory. From a wheaten paddock to an operational Factory in twelve months, the final completion was in July 1942, as a Munitions Factory. It finally closed in 1945. 

The Factory was situated in a triangular area just north of the junction of the Port Pirie and Gawler railway lines and encompassed an area of 2,017 hectares. There were approximately 1500 buildings and 90 different building contractors involved in the construction over about twenty months.

The group then went to the Museum and inspected the many vehicles displayed, including a Bren Gun Carrier, 25 pounder gun complete with Tractor and Storage vehicle, a Wiles Camp Cooker, a large amount of  radio and communication equipment and many Army and Air Force trucks and cars, many operational and all in very good condition.  

An inspection was then made of their workshop, where a light tank is being renovated and made operational. The members were very impressed with the Museum and its excellent and well displayed vehicles..

The use of the factory site has now changed, and many buildings demolished; the area is now occupied by the Edinburgh RAAF Base, the 7th Royal Australian Regiment, Commonwealth Defence, Science and Technology Organisation, numerous Commercial Enterprises, Housing Estates and the Military Motor Vehicles Museum.